Abstract Art

Decadent Bourgeois Art

Sometimes I hate conceptual art so much I could scream!  I am sick of art that has to express a cultural or political critique of our times in order to be found relevant and worth hanging in a museum.  Of course the MFAs and art history majors must produce a thesis, and it is much easier to write one using theories of cultural critique than aesthetic values. 

I make beautiful paintings for people to hang on the walls of their homes and enjoy.  Thus, you could say I am making decadent bourgeois art.  Of course, it is my job only to paint it, not to interpret it. Let the critic or curator figure out what it means.

I studied a little theory myself in graduate school, and there was a catch-22 that stated, in brief, if you weren't critiquing the status quo, then you were automatically supporting it.  By providing art for the homes of the middle-class and wealthy, I am supporting the exploitative capitalist system. 

Artists are supposed to be social critics.  You can't simply follow your bliss and paint your passion.  You must make an intellectual statement as well. 

That's my rant for today.  Just finished working on two paintings.  One, I think is ready:

Canvas #43  60" x 60"

The second one still needs more:

  Canvas #45  60" x 60"

The Challenge of Very Large Abstract Paintings

Over the past week or two, I have been working on some 5 feet by 5 feet canvases, and each time I do this, I forget how physically demanding large canvases can be.  I am continuing to explore the pattern-painting motif  I've been developing lately, and creating them on this large scale is a challenge. Here are three canvases in various stages:

Canvas #44, 60" x 60"

Canvas #45

  Canvas #43, 60" x 60"

In order to fill in the patterns I'd drawn, I had to crane my neck uncomfortably for the high ones and sit on the floor to paint the low ones.

We had a friend visit for a few days, just when temps reached the 90s here with high humidity.  Since we don't have air-conditioning, none of us slept well for three nights.  But the humidity left with our friend, and we are now back to a normal routine.  Fortunately for me, my studio is always cool in the summer. 

Recycled Sculpture by Elisabeth Gross Marks

Last night I went to the opening reception for Merry-Go-Round: an adventure with recycled materials, a solo show by Ithaca artist Elisabeth Gross Marks at the State of the Art Gallery .  Elisabeth uses recycled materials such as the Styrofoam used in shipping, spools, tubes, paper, wood, egg cartons, bottles--almost anything that no longer has a use to its owner in the original form.  She then transforms these items by painting them in bright colors and constructing them in enticing visual patterns.  Here is an example:

In REFLECTED MOTIONS, Elisabeth says, "wind wheels are mounted on wood that is covered with colorful papers. Mirrors reflect part of the wheels, which can be turned by the viewer. They create a kaleidoscope of color and movement."  This piece is made of wood, wheels, and paper, and is 39.5" by 32" by 4".

Here are a couple more, though I neglected to jot down the names:

I think Elisabeth's art may be perfect for our times, when we are all realizing the necessity of a "green consciousness."  She takes what would become waste, glutting our landfills, and transforms it into a beauty that is especially environmentally responsible these days.   

Some may complain that her art is not "archival" in the sense that it will last forever, but  what truly does?  None of us are archival, and our planet is threatened with its own deterioration, thanks to us.  Elisabeth's art makes us aware of this fragility at the same time it engages us with delight and beauty.

On Wednesday, June 18 at 7 pm at the gallery there will be a dance performance by Maren Waldman in conjunction with the exhibition, with a discussion by Elisabeth to follow.  Check out more work by Elisabeth on her website at www.brilliantcolorsegm.com or at the State of the Art website at SOAG.org/ .